Polar M52 or other monitors

[Gemini girl]

I have a Polar M52 and am learning to use it -my question is, what's the deal with the Ownzone feature? Do you change it to low, basic or high every time you work out? How do you know what to choose? Does it mean you should also use it when you do weights? Sorry for all the questions, but the manual is kinda confusing. Last time I exercised I didn't hit one of the buttons I should have, so it didn't file my workout. ugh! If you have any cool tips on how to use it, feel free to let me know!! Thanks so much!!!
Linda

 

[LKZ]

I have the M51 (same features) and I checked out the Polar website for the info. OwnZone Basic calculates based on your age, and here is what it says about the Low and High features:

"The OwnZone Low corresponds to light-to-moderate/moderate intensity level or about 65-78% of your maximum heart rate. The OwnZone Low is ideal for warming up, for weight loss-related exercise for sedentary and less fit individuals and for those recovering from sickness or intensive training.

OwnZone High corresponds to moderate intensity or, at most, to heavy intensity exercise typically targeting fitness benefits and corresponds to about 78-87% maximum heart rate. Switching to this intensity during exercise is useful, for instance, when you want to add a higher intensity section to your exercise."

I just set my own limits, that way I don't have to change it. I always blow out of my upper levels during intervals, so I raised the numbers a bit. Hope this helps you! And, here is the address to the Polar site--
http://www.polar.fi/polar/channels/eng/index.html

Lori

 

[Gemini girl]

Thanks Lori - I really appreciate your response! Do you use the monitor during cardio and weights or just cardio? I really love this thing, even though I have to still play around with it!

You said you go over your high limit during intervals, I do as well, but i heard you should modify to get within your zone or you won't be burning fat - or something like that. So I then started to modify the intensity blasts to stay within my zone. I wonder if I should just ignore that and continue to go over my upper zone limit. (?)

 

[LKZ]

I typically just use it for cardio and cardio/weight combination workouts. For weights alone, I usually don't bother. As far as the intervals go, I usually just ignore it when I go over the upper limit, it is only for a very brief amount of time. If you feel okay, then I wouldn't worry about it too much. I like how it calculates how many calories you burn from fat. When I do Boot Camp, I burn up to 50% from fat, and on IMAX 2, it is only about 35%. But, they are very different workouts and that is what keeps me challenged, so I don't worry about it too much.

 

[trevor]

What about using the Karvonen formula and plugging that into the monitor? Whenever I hear of someone "blowing out" the top of their range I am wondering if the calculated ranges are correct.
Trevor